Packaging material injection management device and packaging material injection management method

Abstract

To improve convenience for a user.SOLUTION: A packaging material ordering management device is a device that receives an order related to creation of a packaging material from an orderer terminal via the Internet. The device comprises: an information provision unit that provides the orderer terminal with specified format data, of a plurality of pieces of format data, which is associated with one packaging material related to the order; and a print data acquisition unit that acquires print data including the specified format data and represents a design for a printing surface of the packaging material. The information provision unit, when receiving instructions according to an orderer's operation on the orderer terminal, causes the orderer terminal to display a history screen including history information indicating a history of format data provided to the orderer in the past, and when receiving instructions according to the orderer's operation on the history screen, provides the orderer terminal with format data, from the history information, which is specified based on the orderer's operation on the history screen.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a packaging order management device and a packaging order management method. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art There is known an online print system that receives orders, prints, and arranges for delivery based on an order signal from an orderer terminal via the Internet (for example, see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2009-9506 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In recent years, online commercial transactions (online transactions) using EC sites and the like have become widespread, and it is being considered to allow packaging materials printed with designs specified by users to be ordered online. The present disclosure provides a packaging material order management device and a packaging material order management method that are useful for improving user convenience. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] [1] A packaging material order management device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a device that accepts an order for the creation of packaging material from a purchaser terminal operated by a purchaser via the Internet. This packaging material order management device includes an information providing unit that provides the purchaser terminal with designated format data associated with one packaging material related to the order from among multiple format data respectively associated with multiple types of packaging materials, a print data acquiring unit that acquires print data including the designated format data and representing a design for a print surface of one packaging material related to the order, and a packaging material creation instruction unit that transmits a packaging material creation instruction including the print data and information indicating the content of the order to a manufacturing department including a printing machine. When receiving an instruction by the purchaser's operation on the purchaser terminal, the information providing unit displays on the purchaser terminal a history screen that is associated with information identifying the purchaser and includes history information indicating a history of format data that has been provided to the purchaser in the past from among the multiple format data, and when receiving an instruction by the purchaser's operation on the history screen, provides the purchaser terminal with format data identified based on the purchaser's operation on the history screen from the history information as the designated format data.

[0006] [2] In the packaging material order management device described in [1] above, the information providing unit may display a history screen on the purchaser terminal so that information indicating each of two or more provided format data, which are format data that have been provided to the purchaser in the past among the multiple format data, is arranged in an order based on the purchaser's past order history.

[0007] [3] In the packaging order management device described in [2] above, each of the multiple format data may be associated with specific information indicating any one of the model number of the packaging material, the shape of the packaging material, the size of the packaging material, and a combination of the shape and size of the packaging material. On the history screen displayed on the purchaser terminal, information indicating each of the two or more provided format data may be arranged in an order based on the frequency of orders for each specific information included in the purchaser's past order history.

[0008] [4] In the packaging material order management device described in any one of [1] to [3] above, the information providing unit may be capable of providing data representing design elements added to the specified format data in a past order to the orderer terminal together with the specified format data.

[0009] [5] A packaging material order management method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a method for accepting an order for the creation of packaging material from an orderer terminal operated by an orderer via the Internet. This packaging material order management method includes a providing step of providing the orderer terminal with designated format data associated with one packaging material related to the order from among multiple format data respectively associated with multiple types of packaging materials, an acquiring step of acquiring print data including the designated format data and representing a design for a print surface of one packaging material related to the order, and a transmitting step of transmitting a packaging material creation instruction including the print data and information indicating the content of the order to a manufacturing department including a printing machine. The providing step includes, when an instruction is received by the orderer's operation on the orderer terminal, displaying on the orderer terminal a history screen that is associated with information identifying the orderer and includes history information indicating a history of format data that has been provided to the orderer in the past from among the multiple format data, and, when an instruction is received by the orderer's operation on the history screen, providing the orderer terminal with format data identified from the history information based on the orderer's operation on the history screen as the designated format data. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present disclosure, a packaging order management device and a packaging order management method are provided that are useful for improving user convenience. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a packaging material ordering system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of information stored in the material information storage unit. [Diagram 3]Fig. 3(a) is a schematic diagram showing an example of the material configuration of a flexible packaging material, and Fig. 3(b) is a diagram showing an example of information on the specifications of the flexible packaging material. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of information stored in the sales information storage unit. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of information held by the format data holding unit. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of design data. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a history screen displayed on the orderer terminal. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a packaging material order management device and a packaging material production management device. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flow diagram showing an example of an order management method by the packaging material ordering system. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a flow diagram showing an example of an order management method by the packaging material ordering system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description, the same elements or elements having the same functions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicated description will be omitted.

[0013] [Packaging ordering system] 1 is a schematic diagram of a packaging ordering system 1 according to one embodiment. The packaging ordering system 1 communicates with an orderer terminal 90 operated by an orderer, and manufactures and provides packaging material based on order instructions from the orderer terminal 90. The packaging ordering system 1 manufactures and provides packaging material based on order instructions from the orderer terminal 90, thereby selling the packaging material to the orderer. The packaging ordering system 1 includes a packaging order management device 10 and a packaging production management device 30.

[0014] The packaging ordering system 1 has a function of accepting orders from an orderer terminal 90 operated by an orderer, and instructing a packaging manufacturing management device 30, which works in cooperation with the manufacturing department, to manufacture and deliver products based on the orders. The products handled by the packaging ordering system 1 are "packaging materials." Packaging materials are components for wrapping contents (products). There are no limitations on the type of packaging material as long as it can wrap the contents, and examples of packaging materials include soft packaging materials, packaging materials used for freshness-preserving agents (oxygen absorbers), and paper containers. In the present disclosure, packaging materials can include not only bags or containers used to package products, but also labels attached to containers, etc.

[0015] Flexible packaging materials, which are an example of packaging materials, are used for packaging composed of flexible materials such as paper, plastic film, aluminum foil, and cloth. Among these, plastic film is often used as the main material. In addition, flexible packaging materials are devised to exhibit desired performance such as barrier properties and heat resistance by using composite materials that combine multiple materials. Since packaging materials such as flexible packaging materials are often used for product packaging, it is expected that the printing content on the printing surface of the packaging material will differ depending on the order. As described above, when receiving an order for packaging materials from a client, it is necessary to obtain information specifying the materials to be used for the packaging material, design data for printing on the packaging material, etc. from the client, and further, it is required to provide this information appropriately to the manufacturing department.

[0016] Materials used for soft packaging materials include single-layer films and multilayer films. Among these, multilayer films are generally made by laminating a base material, an intermediate layer, and a sealant layer using an adhesive. Design data is printed on the base material. The intermediate layer may be omitted depending on the application of the soft packaging material, but a material that functions as a barrier material may be selected. When making a soft packaging material for a specific application, a material (multilayer film) is made by combining materials suitable for the application. Since the materials (film, ink, etc.) of soft packaging materials differ depending on the application, the materials used in their manufacture are also diverse. Since the materials of paper containers and labels may also differ depending on the application, the materials used in their manufacture may also be diverse. On the other hand, the purchaser selects from among many types of packaging materials based on the application of the packaging material to be ordered and places an order. The packaging material ordering system 1 described above centrally manages orders from purchasers related to the creation of many types of packaging materials created using various materials as described above, and also manages the manufacture of the ordered packaging materials.

[0017] In the packaging material ordering system 1, the packaging material order management device 10 is a device that accepts orders for the production of packaging material from the orderer terminal 90. The packaging material order management device 10 is a device that accepts orders from the orderer terminal 90 via the Internet, that is, performs so-called online order reception. The packaging material order management device 10 has a website that can be viewed by the orderer terminal 90, and acquires information entered by the orderer to this website. In addition, when the packaging material order management device 10 accepts an order from the orderer terminal 90, it manages the information, and provides information related to the production of the product to the packaging material production management device 30.

[0018] The packaging material manufacturing management device 30 has a function of managing various devices related to manufacturing in a department related to manufacturing of packaging materials such as a packaging material manufacturing factory (referred to as the "packaging material manufacturing department" in FIG. 1). The packaging material manufacturing management device 30 may have a function of controlling devices related to manufacturing of packaging materials such as a printer 31, a laminating machine 32, and a bag making machine 33 based on an instruction from the packaging material order management device 10. Furthermore, the packaging material manufacturing management device 30 may have a function of ordering materials and managing inventory. The packaging material order management device 10 and the packaging material manufacturing management device 30 are configured to be capable of wireless communication or wired communication, for example, and the packaging material order management device 10 appropriately instructs the packaging material manufacturing management device 30 to create the ordered packaging material. Based on this instruction, the packaging material manufacturing management device 30 starts managing the process related to the creation of the ordered packaging material for each device in the packaging material manufacturing department. In addition, the management of the packaging production process by the packaging manufacturing management device 30 may include, for example, understanding the manufacturing process (e.g., bonding materials, printing, etc.) according to the ordered packaging material, scheduling the work of each device to advance this manufacturing process, and procuring (ordering) materials to be used in the packaging material.

[0019] The orderer terminal 90 is, for example, a terminal device used by a user who is an orderer, and examples of such devices include a smartphone, a tablet, and a personal computer. The orderer terminal 90 is connectable to the Internet. When connecting to the Internet, for example, a communication network other than the Internet may be used. The orderer terminal 90 may have a function of editing design data for printing, which will be described later.

[0020] In addition, the number of orderer terminals 90 used by a specific user is not limited to one. That is, one user may use multiple orderer terminals 90. Therefore, for example, the orderer terminal 90 used by the user to transmit information related to an order and the orderer terminal 90 used to transmit design data may be different from each other. When multiple orderer terminals 90 are each connected to the Internet and can transmit and receive information, the user can handle each orderer terminal 90 individually. The user (orderer) may be an individual or a corporation such as a company. In this disclosure, when the user is a corporation such as a company, an action (for example, an operation) performed by an individual belonging to the corporation on the orderer terminal 90 corresponds to an action performed by the user. Hereinafter, the packaging material ordering management device 10 and the packaging material manufacturing management device 30 will be described taking as an example a case where the packaging material ordering system 1 handles soft packaging material, which is an example of packaging material.

[0021] [Packaging material order management device] As shown in FIG. 1, packaging material order management device 10 has, as its functional configuration (hereinafter referred to as "functional modules"), an information providing unit 12, an order receiving unit 14, a print data acquisition unit 15, a packaging material production instruction unit 16, a delivery management unit 17, a payment processing unit 18, a user information holding unit 21, a materials information holding unit 23, a sales information holding unit 24, a format data holding unit 25, and a history information holding unit 26. The processes executed by these functional modules correspond to the processes executed by packaging material order management device 10. Furthermore, packaging material order management device 10 communicates with a purchaser terminal 90 and a packaging material production management device 30 to send and receive information. The communication between packaging material order management device 10 and purchaser terminal 90 or packaging material production management device 30 may be performed wired or wirelessly.

[0022] The information providing unit 12 has a function of providing various kinds of information to the orderer terminal 90. The information provided by the information providing unit 12 includes various kinds of information required when the orderer orders packaging materials. The information providing unit 12 prepares, for example, a website that can be viewed on the orderer terminal 90. This makes it possible to view the website on the orderer terminal 90 in response to a request from the orderer terminal 90 (for example, specification of a URL). Details of the various kinds of information provided by the information providing unit 12 will be described later, along with the functions of several other functional modules.

[0023] The order receiving unit 14 has a function of acquiring information indicating the contents of an order for the creation of packaging material (hereinafter referred to as "order information") from the orderer terminal 90. For example, in response to a request from the orderer, the information providing unit 12 displays an input form for ordering on the monitor of the orderer terminal 90. The orderer inputs the information required for the order, for example by inputting information into the input form. The input information is transmitted via the Internet to the packaging material order management device 10, which provides a website, and the order receiving unit 14 acquires the information required for the order (the above-mentioned order information). This enables the order receiving unit 14 to accept the order.

[0024] The order information acquired by the order receiving unit 14 when receiving an order includes information identifying the orderer (name, address, etc.), information on the product to be ordered, information on the delivery destination (name, address, etc.), information on payment of expenses, etc. Among these, the information on the product to be ordered includes, for example, information on the type of packaging material (e.g., materials to be used) and the number of orders in the case of soft packaging material. The information on the type of packaging material includes information on the materials used in the packaging material (information on each layer in the case of a film in which multiple types of materials are laminated), information on the shape of the packaging material (shape is, for example, a three-sided square bag, a standing pouch, etc.), and information on the size of the packaging material. In the packaging material order management device 10 of this embodiment, a model number is assigned in association with information on the materials (materials) constituting the packaging material and information on the shape and size of the packaging material. Therefore, the purchaser can transmit information on the material of the packaging material and information on the shape and size of the packaging material to the packaging material order management device 10 by specifying a model number. In this case, the information indicating the model number of the specified packaging material corresponds to information that identifies the type of packaging material (information that specifies the packaging material).

[0025] The information provided to the user on the orderer terminal 90 may be adjusted by the information providing unit 12 so that the orderer (user) can operate the orderer terminal 90 to select a specific packaging material and place an order. For example, displaying the materials (material composition), shape, size, approximate capacity that can be stored, etc., for each of a plurality of types of soft packaging materials that the user can purchase may be important information when the user selects a soft packaging material. In addition, information such as the use of the soft packaging material (retort compatible, boil compatible, microwave compatible, examples of contents that can be stored, etc.) and characteristics (light blocking properties, antistatic properties, transparency, etc.) may be important information for the user's selection of packaging materials compared to the case where the type of packaging material is directly displayed. Therefore, for the purpose of increasing the user's convenience, etc., the information providing unit 12 may display a combination of these pieces of information on the order screen used by the user.

[0026] The print data acquisition unit 15 has a function of acquiring design data (print data) representing a design for the printing surface of packaging material related to an order from an orderer. For example, the print data acquisition unit 15 acquires design data created by a user at the orderer terminal 90 from the orderer terminal 90 based on a transmission instruction from the user. The design data is data including a design to be printed on the packaging material specified by the order information, and is used for printing on the packaging material. Note that types of printing on soft packaging materials include digital printing, which basically prints directly from design data, and non-digital printing, which prints after plate making and color matching. Examples of non-digital printing include gravure printing, flexographic printing, and EB offset printing. However, non-digital printing methods other than these printing methods may be used. The packaging material order management device 10 can handle any printing. However, in the case of digital printing, the print data acquired from the orderer may be used for printing as is without plate making. Therefore, the packaging material order management device 10 is configured to acquire design data (print data) suitable for a specific packaging material from the user by providing the user with format data. The information acquired by the order receiving unit 14 and the information acquired by the print data acquisition unit 15 are stored in a history information storage unit 26. This will be described later.

[0027] When the design data transmitted by the user is PDF data, the print data acquisition unit 15 may perform a preflight check, which checks the data based on preset check items. The print data acquisition unit 15 may also be configured to notify the user of the result of the preflight check and the design data to be finally used for printing. In this case, the user may check the notification content by accessing a predetermined site based on a URL notified by e-mail, for example. Although the preflight check is performed on PDF data, the same type of check may also be performed when data other than PDF data is handled as design data. The design data to be finally used for printing may be data after proofreading the original design data transmitted by the user. After the proofread design data is approved by the user, the proofread design data approved may be stored in the history information storage unit 26 as data to be finally used for printing.

[0028] Instead of sending design data from the user (orderer terminal 90), the user may approve data including a design proposal created by a third party by operating the orderer terminal 90, and the print data acquisition unit 15 may acquire the data as design data. The data including a design proposal created by a third party may be held in the packaging material order management device 10. The data including a design proposal created by a third party may be data created in the packaging material order management device 10, or may be data created in another computer device and then transmitted to the packaging material order management device 10.

[0029] The packaging material production instruction unit 16 has a function of transmitting a packaging material production instruction, including design data and information indicating the contents of the order from the client, to the packaging material production management device 30. The packaging material production instruction includes at least a part of the order information acquired by the order receiving unit 14 and the design data acquired by the print data acquisition unit 15. The packaging material production instruction unit 16 prepares information necessary for issuing instructions to the packaging material production management device 30 based on the information acquired by the order receiving unit 14 and the print data acquisition unit 15 and information held in its own device (packaging material order management device 10). By transmitting the prepared information to the packaging material production management device 30 (the manufacturing department including the printing machine 31), the packaging material order management device 10 issues an instruction to the packaging material production management device 30 to produce a packaging material.

[0030] The delivery management unit 17 has a function of managing the delivery and the like of the packaging material the production of which has been instructed by the packaging material production instructing unit 16. When the packaging material the production of which has been instructed by the packaging material production instructing unit 16 is completed, it can be sent from the packaging material production department (e.g., a factory, etc.) to the delivery destination. The delivery management unit 17 has a function of notifying the purchaser of the production status and delivery status of the product for which an order has been accepted, based on delivery date information, delivery notices, and the like transmitted from the packaging material production management device 30.

[0031] The payment processing unit 18 has a function of making payments for orders received by the order receiving unit 14. The mechanism for making payments is not particularly limited, and existing payment methods can be combined and used. Payment history (information indicating that a payment has been made, etc.) may be stored in the history information storage unit 26 in association with information about the order, etc. Information about the payment may be stored separately from the information stored in the history information storage unit 26. In this case, for example, association using the order number may be performed so that it is possible to confirm that a payment has been made for each order.

[0032] The user information holding unit 21 has a function of holding information about users who use the packaging material order management device 10 (users who use the services provided by the packaging material order management device 10). The user can be configured to provide information required for registration to the packaging material order management device 10 in advance or at the time of the first order, thereby registering the user as a user who uses the packaging material order management device 10. The information provided by the user at the time of user registration is held in the user information holding unit 21. In addition, information for identifying the user (e.g., a user ID) is assigned to each user, and information related to a specific user can be obtained using this information. In this way, by registering user information in the user information holding unit 21, the user can use the information registered as a user when placing an order again. Note that the user information holding unit 21 may manage only a portion of the users who use the packaging material order management device 10. In other words, the user information holding unit 21 may be configured to register only a portion of users, not all users.

[0033] The material information storage unit 23 has a function of storing information related to the correspondence between model numbers and materials. An example of information stored in the material information storage unit 23 is shown in FIG. 2. In FIG. 2, a model number used at the time of ordering is associated with a specification (for example, information specifying a specification used in the manufacturing department) and a material composition. The material composition indicates the composition of each layer that constitutes a packaging material corresponding to each model number. Using this information, it is possible to specify the material used for the packaging material of the model number from one model number. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the "material composition" includes information specifying the thickness of the base material, intermediate layer, sealant layer, and materials used for these layers that are used in the soft packaging material. In addition, the "material composition" may include information specifying the adhesive used between layers, the ink used for printing, etc. The information included in the "material composition" may be changed as appropriate depending on the type of soft packaging material.

[0034] 2, the information stored in the material information storage unit 23 may include information such as shape, size, estimated capacity, and characteristics (information explaining the characteristics and uses of the material of each soft packaging material) in association with the model number. The various information stored in the material information storage unit 23 may be used, for example, when the purchaser places an order for packaging materials. Specifically, for example, the information provider 12 presents information such as shape, size, estimated capacity, and characteristics to the user on a website or the like, thereby causing a screen including the information to be displayed on the monitor of the purchaser terminal 90. The user may then select (designate) the model number of the packaging material to be ordered based on the information included in the displayed screen or by operating the screen.

[0035] With reference to Fig. 3(a) and Fig. 3(b), a configuration example of a flexible packaging material included in the information shown in Fig. 2 will be described. Fig. 3(a) is a diagram showing a packaging film 200 used for a flexible packaging material, in which a first base film 201, an adhesive layer 204, a second base film 202, an adhesive layer 206, and a third base film 203 are laminated in this order. A primer layer (not shown) may be provided on one of the pair of main surfaces of the first base film 201, which is closer to the second base film 202. In addition, an electrostatic ink layer 205 is provided on one of the main surfaces of the adhesive layer 204, which is closer to the first base film 201. When a primer layer is provided, the electrostatic ink layer 205 is provided on one of the pair of main surfaces of the primer layer, which is closer to the second base film 202. This packaging film 200 is, for example, a film used for a flexible packaging material for food heated by a microwave oven.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 3(a), the first base film 201 is a biaxially stretched polyethylene terephthalate film with a transparent inorganic oxide vapor deposition of 12 μm (GLARH, manufactured by Toppan Printing Co., Ltd.) with an alumina vapor deposition layer, the second base film 202 is a nylon film with a thickness of 15 μm, and the third base film 203 is a non-oriented polypropylene film with a thickness of 60 μm. In this case, as shown in FIG. 3(b), the material composition can be described by a combination of the abbreviation of the material and the thickness (number), for example, "GLARH12 / NY15 / CPP60". Furthermore, FIG. 3(b) describes that a film using mechanically recycled PET (GLARNF) can be adopted instead of the biaxially stretched polyethylene terephthalate film with a transparent inorganic oxide vapor deposition of alumina (GLARH). In this way, the "material composition" specifies the composition of the material that constitutes the packaging film to realize the functions required of the soft packaging material, and the materials are similarly described by abbreviations in the example shown in FIG. 2.

[0037] In addition to the material composition, Fig. 3(b) also shows information related to the use and bag shape designation (square standing pouch for microwave oven), adhesive layer designation, size, approximate capacity, designation of pattern (designation of location where design can be added), and designation of bottom tape. Some of the information shown in Fig. 3(b) may be included in the information shown in Fig. 2, or as shown in Fig. 3(b), data may be managed separately for each soft packaging material handled by this system.

[0038] Returning to FIG. 1, the sales information storage unit 24 stores information related to the sale of packaging materials that can be ordered at the purchaser terminal 90 (hereinafter referred to as "sales information"). The sales information may include at least one of information indicating a period during which the packaging material can be delivered to the purchaser, information indicating the sales price of the packaging material, and information indicating the order unit of the packaging material. FIG. 4 shows an example of the sales information. The sales information may include, for example, a sales price and a number (number of sheets) per lot, which is an order unit, in association with a model number. In one example, when one lot is 100 sheets, the purchaser can order packaging materials in units of 100 sheets, and the minimum order number is 100 sheets. The sales price may be set to vary according to the lot number. In this case, the sales price may be set so that the unit price per sheet becomes lower as the lot number increases. The sales price may be set by determining the unit price per sheet regardless of the lot number.

[0039] The sales information stored in the sales information storage unit 24 may include a period during which the packaging material can be delivered to the orderer in association with the model number (hereinafter referred to as the "deliverable period"). The deliverable period may be a flexible period (for example, a period of 4 to 6 days), or may be the period (number of days) from the acceptance of the order to the date when the packaging material manufacturing department is expected to be able to ship the product. A discount on the selling price may be set in the sales information. The discount on the selling price may be set for each user, and the amount of discount for a certain model number may differ between users. The sales information is used when the information providing unit 12 prepares information (for example, a website) that can be viewed on the orderer terminal 90.

[0040] Returning to FIG. 1, the format data holding unit 25 has a function of holding format data provided to the orderer terminal 90 and used by the user to create design data. The format data provided to the orderer terminal 90 is data that allows the user to create a design (process data) using the orderer terminal 90 or another device. The format data holding unit 25 holds a plurality of format data respectively associated with a plurality of types of packaging materials that can be ordered in the packaging material order management device 10. In this case, in the data held by the format data holding unit 25, one format data is associated with each of the plurality of types of packaging materials (each packaging material). In the data held by the format data holding unit 25, for example, a plurality of format data is associated with each of the model numbers of the plurality of types of packaging materials. At least some of the plurality of model numbers are associated with a plurality of different format data. The same format data may be associated with some of the plurality of model numbers.

[0041] The information providing unit 12 provides the orderer terminal 90 with format data (designated format data) associated with one packaging material related to an order from the user, from among the multiple format data. In the present disclosure, one piece of format data, among the multiple format data held by the format data holding unit 25, that is associated with one packaging material related to an order and that is provided to the orderer terminal 90 (user) may be referred to as "designated format data". The information providing unit 12 transmits the designated format data to the orderer terminal 90 in response to the operation of the orderer terminal 90 by the user. For example, when a model number is designated by the user on the orderer terminal 90 and a request to transmit format data is made to the packaging material order management device 10, the information providing unit 12 transmits the designated format data associated with the designated model number to the orderer terminal 90. By transmitting the format data to the orderer terminal 90, the format data is provided to the user (orderer) operating the orderer terminal 90. The transmission of format data by the information providing unit 12 may be executed at any stage, after the user has input all the order information related to the packaging order, during the input of the order information, or before the user has input the order information. The acquisition of design data by the print data acquiring unit 15 may also be executed at any stage, after the user has input all the order information related to the packaging order, during the input of the order information, or before the user has input the order information.

[0042] The format data storage unit 25 may store information on a set of format data used by the user to create design data. An example of information stored in the format data storage unit 25 is shown in FIG. 5. In FIG. 5, information (e.g., a file name) that specifies data to be sent to the user (orderer terminal 90) is associated with the model number used at the time of ordering. In addition, it is preferable that the data (printing data) processed by the user is returned in a predetermined format, and in particular, in the case of digital printing, it is required that the data be sent from the orderer terminal 90 to the packaging material order management device 10 in a format that can be used in, for example, the printing machine 31. Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, one format data, one setting file, and one manual data may be prepared as a set of format data for one model number. This set of format data can be a package of data provided to the orderer terminal 90.

[0043] The setting file associated with each model number is, for example, a file that describes various settings for outputting design data used for printing in an appropriate state in an application used by the user. The manual data is data that describes how to use the format data and the setting file. Such a data set may be stored as a "set of format data" in association with one model number. The format data storage unit 25 stores the setting file and manual data in addition to the above format data. When the set of format data is transmitted to the purchaser terminal 90, three pieces of data (format data, setting file, and manual data) are selected based on the model number. Then, these pieces of data are packaged together and transmitted from the packaging material order management device 10 to the purchaser terminal 90 by the information providing unit 12.

[0044] As described above, the format data is data that is the source of the design data used for printing on packaging materials related to an order. FIG. 6 shows an example of the design data. The design data D0 shown in FIG. 6 includes data D1, which is the format data, and data D2 representing a design to be processed on the data D1. In the data D1, a drawing area A1 and a non-drawing area A2 corresponding to the packaging material associated with the model number may be defined. In addition, the drawing area A1 may be provided with a frame line A3 for separating the recommended printing area. Furthermore, in the case of an area with printing restrictions such as a zipper, a restricted area A4 may be defined. In this way, the data D1 may include information that enables the user to create print data with an appropriate design according to the packaging material.

[0045] Design data D0 is created by adding data D2 representing a design onto data D1 (format data). For example, a user operates the orderer terminal 90 to process and edit the format data to create design data to which a design has been added. The design added to the format data may include design elements such as characters, figures, logos, illustrations, patterns, and photographs. The design elements constituting the design may also include a background created in the drawing area A1. The characters included in the design may represent the name (product name) of a product that the user plans to sell after receiving the delivery of the packaging material, a description of the product (capacity, etc.), the name of the seller of the product, etc. The figures, logos, etc. may represent a brand. The user may create and edit design data on the orderer terminal 90 while creating the design elements and arbitrarily changing the size, position, color, and brightness (luminance, brightness) of the design elements on the data.

[0046] Returning to FIG. 1, the history information storage unit 26 has a function of storing information about orders received from users. Information about orders received from users may include information obtained when an order is actually placed and information obtained when an order is not actually placed. The history information storage unit 26 may store information acquired by the order receiving unit 14 and a design (printing data) acquired by the print data acquisition unit 15 in association with one order from a user. Furthermore, the history information storage unit 26 stores user information stored in the user information storage unit 21 in association with each order, thereby enabling a user to search for past order history. When a user who has registered as a user becomes an orderer, the information registered by the user becomes the orderer's information, so that the linking can be performed by placing an order in a logged-in state. In addition, when a user is registered at the time of the first order, the information entered as the orderer at the time of the first order can be used as user information. Then, the data can be linked even after the order is placed by using a user ID or the like assigned as information to identify the user.

[0047] The history information holding unit 26 holds information (hereinafter referred to as "history information") indicating a history of format data provided to a user in the past among the multiple format data held by the format data holding unit 25. In the present disclosure, among the multiple format data held in the format data holding unit 25, format data provided to a specific user in the past may be referred to as "provided format data". The history information holding unit 26 holds history information indicating one or more provided format data provided to the user in the past in association with information identifying the user. In the history information held by the history information holding unit 26, for each user, information indicating a history of orders made using the provided format data and design data used at that time may be associated with each of the one or more provided format data. The one or more format data included in the history information may also include format data provided when data was provided but did not ultimately result in an order (order) for packaging material. The one or more format data included in the history information may include the same type of format data.

[0048] The packaging material order management device 10 can display a My Page, which can only be viewed by the user himself / herself and includes various information edited for each user, on the monitor of the purchaser terminal 90. In response to a display request from a user for My Page, the information providing unit 12 of the packaging material order management device 10 causes the purchaser terminal 90 to display the My Page for that user. The information providing unit 12 causes the purchaser terminal 90 to display a history screen including the above-mentioned history information in My Page. When the information providing unit 12 receives an instruction by a user's operation on the purchaser terminal 90, it causes the purchaser terminal 90 to display the history screen. The user can view the history screen by, for example, selecting (clicking) a tab in My Page that corresponds to a user instruction to display the history screen. The history screen displayed by the information providing unit 12 includes information indicating one or more format data previously provided to the user currently viewing My Page.

[0049] When placing a new order, the user can obtain format data for the new order from operations on the history screen displayed on the purchaser terminal 90. When the information providing unit 12 of the packaging material order management device 10 receives an instruction from a user's operation on the history screen, it provides the purchaser terminal 90 with format data identified from the history information based on the user's operation on the history screen. The user can create new design data for the new order using the format data (specified format data) obtained from the operation on the history screen.

[0050] FIG. 7 shows an example of a history screen 92 that can be viewed by a user on the orderer terminal 90. In the history screen 92 shown in FIG. 7, a list 94, a preview 96, a download button 98a, and a designation button 98b are displayed. The list 94 shows, in a table format, information indicating one or more pieces of provided format data previously provided to a specific user viewing the history screen 92. In the present disclosure, the provided format data is associated with each of a plurality of types of packaging material model numbers, so that in the list 94 of the history screen 92, the packaging material model number (displayed as "order model number" in FIG. 7) is information indicating the provided format data previously provided to a specific user. The list 94 includes a plurality of selection buttons 94a (radio buttons) each corresponding to information indicating one or more pieces of provided format data. In the history screen 92, the user can select any one of the plurality of selection buttons 94a, and one piece of provided format data is selected (designated) by the selected selection button 94a.

[0051] In the list 94, in consideration of the user's convenience, in addition to information indicating the provided format data (order model number), the download date indicating the date when the data was provided in the past, the shape and features, the size and capacity, and information indicating whether or not an actual order was placed are displayed. When two or more provided format data have been provided to a specific user in the past, the information providing unit 12 displays the list 94 (history screen 92) on the orderer terminal 90 so that the information indicating each of the two or more provided format data is arranged in an order based on the past order history of the user. In the list 94 shown in FIG. 7, information indicating each of the two or more provided format data is arranged in an order based on the frequency of orders for each model number included in the past order history of a specific user. In the list 94, information indicating each of the two or more provided format data is displayed so that the model numbers with the highest order frequency are arranged from the top of the screen.

[0052] The preview 96 displays the design used in the past order together with the provided format data corresponding to the selection button 94a selected by the user. That is, the preview 96 displays design data including data representing design elements added to the corresponding provided format data in the past order and the provided format data. When the user operates (clicks) the download button 98a, a request for providing format data is transmitted to the packaging material order management device 10. Then, in response to the request, the information providing unit 12 provides the provided format data (designated format data) corresponding to the selection button 94a selected by the user to the orderer terminal 90. The information providing unit 12 can provide the orderer terminal 90 with data representing design elements added to the format data in the past order together with the provided format data (designated format data) selected by the user. The preview 96 allows the user to check the format data provided in the past and the design elements used together with the format data. On the history screen 92, the user may be able to select whether to request the provision of only the format data or to request the provision of the format data and the data representing the corresponding design elements. The user may be able to select whether or not to request the provision of only the format data by selecting (checking) the designation button 98b. By providing the designation button 98b on the history screen 92, various requests from the user can be met.

[0053] The packaging material order management device 10 may further have a function of managing a settlement process that occurs when an order is accepted. Since existing processes can be applied to the management of the settlement process, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0054] [Packaging material manufacturing control device] The packaging material manufacturing management device 30 is a device that can operate in cooperation with the packaging material order management device 10. The packaging material manufacturing management device 30 has a function of managing each device related to packaging material manufacturing in the department (in FIG. 1, it is referred to as the "packaging material manufacturing department") that it manages. As examples of each device, FIG. 1 shows a printing machine 31, a laminating machine 32, and a bag making machine 33. As the printing machine 31, a digital printing machine or a non-digital printing machine (gravure printing machine, EB offset printing machine, flexographic printing machine, etc.) can be selected as a printing machine according to the type of printing. As the laminating machine 32, a dry laminating machine, an extrusion laminating machine, etc. can be mentioned. Note that these machines shown in FIG. 1 are only examples, and the objects managed by the packaging material manufacturing management device 30 are not limited to these. Furthermore, the packaging material manufacturing management device 30 may be capable of individually controlling the managed equipment (printing machine 31, etc.), or may be configured to manage only the operating status or the operation schedule (operation schedule).

[0055] Furthermore, the packaging manufacturing management device 30 may be configured to collectively perform material management, process management, and the like for each product manufactured in the department that it manages. In this way, the management target of the packaging manufacturing management device 30 may be the general business related to the manufacturing of packaging materials in the department that it manages. However, the packaging manufacturing management device 30 may not perform all of the management related to these businesses, and may be configured to manage only a part of them. As an example, in this embodiment, as a part of the management related to the manufacturing of packaging materials based on instructions from the packaging ordering management device 10, the packaging manufacturing management device 30 at least receives a manufacturing instruction for packaging materials from the packaging ordering management device 10, manages the received data, and manages the manufacturing status of the packaging materials for which the manufacturing instruction has been received (process management). Note that these management tasks do not need to be performed by a single packaging manufacturing management device 30, and may be managed in a distributed manner by multiple devices.

[0056] [Hardware configuration of packaging material ordering management device and packaging material manufacturing management device] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a computer 110 used in the packaging order management device 10 or the packaging manufacturing management device 30. For example, the computer 110 has a control circuit 100. In one example, the control circuit 100 has one or more processors 101, a memory 102, a storage 103, a communication port 104, and an input / output port 105. The processor 101 executes an operating system and an application program. The storage 103 is composed of a storage medium such as a hard disk, a non-volatile semiconductor memory, or a removable medium (e.g., a magnetic disk, an optical disk, etc.), and stores the operating system and the application program. The memory 102 temporarily stores a program loaded from the storage 103 or a calculation result by the processor 101. The processor 101 functions as an individual functional module by executing a program in cooperation with the memory 102. The communication port 104 performs data communication with other devices via a communication network NW according to a command from the processor 101. The input / output port 105, in accordance with instructions from the processor 101, executes input / output of electrical signals between the input / output device (user interface) such as a keyboard, a mouse, a monitor, and a touch panel.

[0057] Each of the packaging order management device 10 and the packaging production management device 30 may be configured with a plurality of computers 110. Furthermore, when either the packaging order management device 10 or the packaging production management device 30 is configured with a plurality of computers 110, the plurality of computers 110 may be distributed and may be connected to each other via a communication network NW.

[0058] [Packaging material order management method] Next, a packaging order management method using a packaging order system 1 including a packaging order management device 10 and a packaging manufacturing management device 30 will be described with reference to Figures 9 and 10. This packaging order management method includes at least a providing step of providing designated format data associated with one packaging material related to an order from a user, from among a plurality of format data respectively associated with a plurality of types of packaging, to an orderer terminal 90, and an acquiring step of acquiring print data including the designated format data and representing a design for the print surface of the one packaging material related to the user's order. The packaging order management method also includes a sending step of sending a packaging production instruction including the print data and information indicating the contents of the user's order to a manufacturing department including a printer 31. The above-mentioned providing step includes, when an instruction is received through a user's operation on the purchaser terminal 90, displaying on the purchaser terminal 90 a history screen 92 that is associated with information identifying the user and includes history information indicating a history of format data that has been provided to the user in the past among multiple format data, and, when an instruction is received through a user's operation on the history screen 92, providing to the purchaser terminal 90, as specified format data, format data identified from the history information based on the user's operation on the history screen 92.

[0059] FIG. 9 is a flow diagram showing an ordering method and a delivery method by the packaging material ordering system 1. As shown in FIG. 9, steps S01 and S02 are first performed between the purchaser terminal 90 and the packaging material order management device 10. In step S01, for example, a user (purchaser) operates the purchaser terminal 90 to refer to a website provided by the information providing unit 12 of the packaging material order management device 10, input necessary information on the website, and transmit a user registration request. Meanwhile, in step S02, for example, the packaging material order management device 10 receives a user registration request from the purchaser terminal 90, registers user information in the user information storage unit 21 of the packaging material order management device 10, and notifies the purchaser terminal 90 that the user registration has been completed. This enables the user of the purchaser terminal 90 to become the purchaser. Note that steps S01 and S02 are examples of a case where user registration is performed in advance, and this process can be changed depending on the timing of user registration.

[0060] Next, the packaging material order management device 10 executes step S03 based on a request from the purchaser terminal 90. When a user of the purchaser terminal 90 intends to place an order for packaging material with the packaging material order management device 10, the user operates the purchaser terminal 90 to request the presentation of an order form. In response to this request, the information providing unit 12 presents the order form. The format of the order form is not particularly limited, and for example, a plurality of types of packaging materials available on the website may be displayed so that the user can select from among them, or the user may input a model number. In this way, the format, interface, etc. for inputting information when the user places an order may be changed as appropriate. For example, the initial screen may be configured to display all available packaging materials, and the user may set and search for extraction conditions, and only information related to a specific packaging material that matches the extraction conditions may be extracted and displayed. When a plurality of types of packaging materials available on the website are displayed, sales information (for example, sales price, order unit, estimated time until delivery) related to each packaging material may be displayed. The information providing unit 12 may display the sales information stored in the sales information storage unit 24 on an order form or another screen.

[0061] Next, the orderer terminal 90 that has acquired the order form executes step S04. In step S04, for example, a user of the orderer terminal 90 inputs at least a part of various information required for an order. At this time, the information input by the user may include information specifying a model number of the packaging material. Note that the user may directly specify the model number of the packaging material, but, for example, when a packaging material is selected from a plurality of types of packaging materials posted on a website, a model number corresponding to the packaging material may be automatically selected.

[0062] Next, the orderer terminal 90 executes step S05. In step S05, for example, information entered in the order form after input, i.e., order information, is transmitted from the orderer terminal 90 to the packaging material order management device 10. This order information may include model number information that specifies the material, shape, and size of the packaging material. When the order information is transmitted from the orderer terminal 90, the packaging material order management device 10 executes step S06. In step S06, for example, the order receiving unit 14 acquires the order information and stores it in the history information storage unit 26 as a process for starting the process of receiving the order. Furthermore, the order receiving unit 14 associates the order with the user information storage unit 21 as necessary (for example, links information using a user ID).

[0063] Next, the packaging material order management device 10 executes step S07. In step S07, for example, the print data acquisition unit 15 refers to the format data storage unit 25 and prepares a set of format data corresponding to the model number included in the order information. Next, the packaging material order management device 10 executes step S08. In step S08, for example, the information providing unit 12 transmits the prepared set of format data to the purchaser terminal 90. As an example, the information providing unit 12 may upload the set of format data to a website or the like from which data can be downloaded by an operation from the purchaser terminal 90. In this case, the set of format data may be acquired by downloading the data by an operation from the purchaser terminal 90. The set of format data corresponding to each model number may be provided in a downloadable state on a specific website, or the purchaser terminal 90 may acquire the set of format data by downloading the set of format data corresponding to a specific model number. The information providing unit 12 stores information indicating the provided format data in the history information storage unit 26 and associates the information with information for identifying a user (for example, a user ID).

[0064] In response to this, the orderer terminal 90 executes step S09. In step S09, for example, a user creates design data for printing by processing the data D1 at the orderer terminal 90 that has acquired the set of format data. The design data for printing is created by adding various design elements (e.g., characters, figures) to the data D1.

[0065] The orderer terminal 90 executes step S10 for the created data. In step S10, the orderer terminal 90 transmits the processed design data for printing to the packaging material order management device 10. The transmitted data is acquired by the print data acquisition unit 15 of the packaging material order management device 10. The design data may be sent from the orderer terminal 90 to the packaging material order management device 10 by uploading the data to a specific website, for example. The original design data transmitted to the packaging material order management device 10 may be proofread. After the user's approval of the proofread design data is obtained, the print data acquisition unit 15 may obtain the approved proofread design data and update the design data to the new data.

[0066] Next, packaging material order management device 10 executes step S11. In step S11, for example, payment processing unit 18 confirms the order from the purchaser and performs payment processing. Information indicating that payment has been made by payment processing unit 18 is recorded in history information storage unit 26, for example, as described above. With the processing up to this point, a series of processes related to receiving an order is completed. After the series of processes up to step S11 have been executed, history information storage unit 26 may store the provided format data, data representing the design, and information indicating the model number corresponding to the format data, in association with information for identifying the user.

[0067] Next, packaging material order management device 10 executes step S12. In step S12, for example, packaging material production instruction unit 16 refers to the model number included in the order information and refers to material information storage unit 23 to prepare information that needs to be sent to packaging material production management device 30. That is, packaging material production instruction unit 16 prepares information that identifies materials used in the packaging material specified by the model number (material specification information). Packaging material production instruction unit 16 acquires information on the materials corresponding to the model number from the information stored in material information storage unit 23. As a result, the data to be sent to packaging material production management device 30 is prepared.

[0068] Next, packaging material order management device 10 executes step S13. In step S13, for example, packaging material production instructing unit 16 transmits a packaging material production instruction to packaging material manufacturing management device 30. The transmitted production instruction may include at least a part of the order information input in step S04 (for example, information identifying the packaging material, information related to the delivery destination of the packaging material), information specifying materials to be used in producing the packaging material, and design data to be used for printing on the packaging material.

[0069] Next, the packaging material manufacturing management device 30 that has received the instruction to create the packaging material executes step S14. In step S14, the packaging material manufacturing management device 30 starts managing and creating the process related to the creation of the packaging material based on the creation instruction. Examples of process management in the packaging material manufacturing management device 30 include procurement of materials, securing the operating time of each device used to create the packaging material, such as the printer 31, laminator 32, and bag making machine 33, and the like. In step S14, adjustments (such as data proofreading) may be made to the design data to enable use by the printer 31.

[0070] In parallel with the production of the product, the packaging material manufacturing management device 30 executes step S15, and in response, the packaging material order management device 10 executes step S16. In step S15, for example, the packaging material manufacturing management device 30 notifies the packaging material order management device 10 of the scheduled delivery date of the packaging material. The scheduled delivery date can be identified, for example, as a result of process management (step S14). The packaging material manufacturing management device 30 notifies the packaging material order management device 10 at a stage when the delivery date is expected. The notified scheduled delivery date of the packaging material may correspond to a delivery period that can be included in the sales information, or may deviate from the delivery period due to a change in the situation after the sales information is provided. In step S16, for example, the packaging material order management device 10, which has received the scheduled delivery date information from the packaging material manufacturing management device 30, notifies the orderer terminal 90 of the delivery date information by the delivery management unit 17. The method of notifying the orderer terminal 90 is not particularly limited, and examples include notification on a website (for example, a user page assigned to each user), notification by email, etc. At this time, the delivery management unit 17 may update the delivery date information in the order information stored in the history information storage unit 26.

[0071] When the product is completed, the packaging material manufacturing management device 30 executes step S17. In addition, steps S18 to S20 are executed in conjunction with the execution of step S17. In step S17, for example, the packaging material manufacturing management device 30 ships the completed product to the delivery destination included in the production instruction. Together with the delivery of the product, a shipping notice is sent from the packaging material manufacturing management device 30 to the packaging material order management device 10 in step S18. In addition, in step S19, for example, the packaging material order management device 10 that has received the shipping notice reports to the orderer terminal 90 that the shipping has been completed. The method of notifying the orderer terminal 90 is not particularly limited, and examples include a notification on a website (for example, a user page assigned to each user) and a notification by email. In addition, as shown in step S20, the product is separately sent from the packaging material manufacturing management device 30 (manufacturing department) to the delivery destination. Note that FIG. 9 shows a state in which a product is sent to the orderer terminal 90 as an example in which the delivery destination is the user of the orderer terminal 90. The delivery destination is set based on the order information, so the product may be delivered to a location different from the location of the user of the orderer terminal 90.

[0072] This completes a series of processes related to the creation of one packaging material. Note that when the same user places a second or subsequent packaging order, some of the procedures shown in FIG. 9 can be omitted. For example, since user management is performed in the packaging order management device 10, user registration is complete from the second order onwards. Therefore, the procedures related to user registration (S11 to S12) are omitted, and instead, a login process using a user ID or the like is performed. In addition, since order information can be created using the information used for user registration, for example, the input of information in inputting order information (S04) can be simplified.

[0073] In the series of processes related to an order shown in FIG. 9, the order information and the design data may be acquired in any order. Before inputting the order information, the user (orderer) may send the design data by operating the orderer terminal 90. Before inputting the order information, the orderer terminal 90 may acquire format data from the packaging material order management device 10 based on an operation by the user. Before inputting the order information, the user may create design data using the format data, and after transmitting the created design data to the packaging material order management device 10, input the order information, etc., to continue (execute) the packaging material order. In the process of continuing the packaging material order, the packaging material order management device 10 may associate the design data sent before inputting the order information with the order information. By performing this association, the design data sent before inputting the order information becomes data including a design to be printed on the packaging material specified by the order information.

[0074] In the series of processes shown in FIG. 9 described above, user registration, initiation of an order by the user, provision of format data, and acquisition of design data are performed in that order. Next, with reference to FIG. 10, a packaging material ordering management method in which format data is provided through an operation on the history screen 92 described above and a packaging material is ordered, unlike the series of processes shown in FIG. 9, will be described. As shown in FIG. 10, step S31 is first performed between the purchaser terminal 90 and the packaging material ordering management device 10. In step S31, for example, the packaging material ordering management device 10 requests the purchaser terminal 90 to transmit user information, and the user inputs his / her own user ID or the like in the purchaser terminal 90 (for example, an initial screen displayed on the purchaser terminal 90). This performs a login process, and the user can view the contents of My Page in the purchaser terminal 90.

[0075] Next, the purchaser terminal 90 executes step S32. In response to step S32, the packaging material order management device 10 executes steps S33 and S34. In step S32, for example, the purchaser terminal 90 requests the packaging material order management device 10 to display the history screen 92 indicating the history of the provided format data provided to the user in the past, based on an operation by the user. In step S33, for example, the information providing unit 12 prepares, in the history information holding unit 26, information indicating the history of one or more provided format data linked to the user ID input in step S31. Then, in step S34, for example, the information providing unit 12 displays the history screen 92 including the above-mentioned list 94 on the monitor of the purchaser terminal 90. This allows the user to view the history screen 92 on the purchaser terminal 90, and to grasp the format data provided to the user in the past (the model number corresponding to the data).

[0076] Next, the purchaser terminal 90 executes step S35. In step S35, for example, packaging material order management device 10 requests packaging material order management device 10 to transmit format data based on a user's operation on history screen 92. In step S35, one piece of data to be transmitted may be specified from one or more pieces of provided format data provided in the past by the user's operation on history screen 92. The format data may be specified by specifying a model number. In step S35, the user's operation on history screen 92 may request the provision of data including the specified format data and designs (design elements) used in the past.

[0077] In response to step S35, the packaging material order management device 10 executes step S36. In step S36, for example, the information providing unit 12 provides at least the specified format data (specified format data) to the purchaser terminal 90. As an example, the information providing unit 12 may upload a set of data including the specified format data (see FIG. 5) to a website or the like from which the data can be downloaded by an operation on the history screen 92 from the purchaser terminal 90. In this case, the purchaser terminal 90 (user) may acquire the set of format data by downloading the data by an operation on the purchaser terminal 90. The set of format data corresponding to each model number included in the history screen 92 may be provided in a downloadable state on a specific website. In this case, the purchaser terminal 90 may download the set of format data corresponding to a specific model number by an operation on the history screen 92, so that the purchaser terminal 90 (user) acquires the set of format data.

[0078] Next, the orderer terminal 90 executes steps S37 and S38. In step S37, for example, after an order form is presented by the information providing unit 12, the user of the orderer terminal 90 inputs at least a part of various information required for ordering. In the order form presented in step S37, the model number associated with the format data provided in step S36 may already be input. In step S38, for example, the user creates design data for printing by processing the format data provided in step S36 in the orderer terminal 90. The user may create new design data by processing, editing, or using as is the design data provided in step S36 and including the format data and data representing the design elements.

[0079] Next, the orderer terminal 90 executes steps S39 and S40. In step S39, for example, based on a user operation, the orderer terminal 90 transmits the order information input in step S37 and the design data created in step S38 to the packaging material order management device 10. In step S40, for example, based on a user operation, the orderer terminal 90 transmits an instruction to the packaging material order management device 10 to confirm the order details including the information transmitted in step S39.

[0080] Next, packaging order management device 10 executes step S41, similarly to step S11. With the processing up to this point, a series of processes relating to the receipt of an order is completed. Thereafter, packaging order management device 10 and packaging manufacturing management device 30 execute a series of processes similar to the series of processes of steps S12 to S20 shown in FIG. 9, although this is omitted in FIG. 10. With the above, a series of processes relating to the production of one packaging material in the case where format data is provided by an operation on history screen 92 is completed. Providing format data by an operation on history screen 92 is not necessarily executed every time an order is placed, but is executed when requested by the user.

[0081] Even if the packaging material is a material other than light packaging material (e.g., paper containers, etc.), or if the types of packaging materials handled by the packaging ordering system 1 include materials other than soft packaging materials, the procedures shown in Figures 9 and 10 are executed in the same manner.

[0082] [Variations] As described above, the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to the above-described examples, and various modifications are possible without departing from the gist of the present disclosure.

[0083] In the above example, in the data held by the format data holding unit 25, each of the multiple format data (a set of multiple format data) is associated with a model number of the packaging material. In contrast, in the data held by the format data holding unit 25, each of the multiple format data may be associated with the shape of the packaging material, the size of the packaging material, or a combination of the shape and size of the packaging material, instead of the model number. That is, in the data held by the format data holding unit 25, instead of the model number, one format data may be associated with each shape, size, or combination of the shape and size of the packaging material. In this manner, in the present disclosure, when one format data corresponding to one packaging material is specified from among the multiple format data, information indicating a combination of the model number, the shape, the size, or the shape and size is used. Hereinafter, information indicating any one of the model number of the packaging material, the shape of the packaging material, the size of the packaging material, and the combination of the shape and size of the packaging material is referred to as "specific information". In the data held by the format data holding unit 25, one format data may be associated with each specific information.

[0084] The information providing unit 12 may display the history screen 92 on the orderer terminal 90 so that information indicating each of the two or more format data is arranged in an order based on the frequency of orders for each specific information included in the user's past order history. In the list 94 shown in Fig. 7, instead of the model number, information indicating each of the two or more format data may be arranged in an order based on the frequency of orders for each packaging shape, packaging size, or combination of shape and size included in the user's past order history. In the list 94, information indicating each of the two or more format data may be displayed so that packaging shapes, packaging sizes, or combinations of shape and size with high order frequencies are arranged in order from the top of the screen.

[0085] The information providing unit 12 may display the history screen 92 on the orderer terminal 90 so that information indicating each of the two or more format data is arranged in an order based on information indicating the date on which the data was provided, which is included in the past order history, instead of the frequency of orders for each specific information. In one example, on the history screen 92, information indicating each of the two or more format data may be arranged in order of the most recent date on which the data was provided.

[0086] Some of the functions of packaging material order management device 10 may be configured to be managed by a device other than packaging material order management device 10. For example, management of user information may be configured to be performed by a device other than packaging material order management device 10. Furthermore, payment-related matters may also be managed by a device other than packaging material order management device 10. Furthermore, the information contained in the order information or sales information is not limited to that described in the above embodiment, and various information can be combined. Furthermore, the order input form, the configuration of the design data, and the like may also be changed as appropriate. At least a portion of the content described in any of the various examples described above may be applied to other examples.

[0087] [Effects of the embodiment] The packaging material order management device 10 described above is a device that accepts orders for the creation of packaging material from a purchaser terminal 90 operated by a purchaser via the Internet. This packaging material order management device 10 includes an information providing unit 12 that provides the purchaser terminal 90 with designated format data that is associated with one packaging material related to the order from among multiple format data that are respectively associated with multiple types of packaging material, a print data acquiring unit 15 that acquires print data that includes the designated format data and represents a design for the print surface of the one packaging material related to the order, and a packaging material creation instruction unit 16 that transmits a packaging material creation instruction that includes the print data and information indicating the contents of the order to a manufacturing department that includes a printer 31. When the information providing unit 12 receives an instruction through operation of the client on the client terminal 90, it causes a history screen 92, which is associated with information identifying the client and includes history information indicating a history of format data that has been provided to the client in the past from among a plurality of format data, to be displayed on the client terminal 90, and when the information providing unit 12 receives an instruction through operation of the client on the history screen 92, it provides the client terminal with format data identified from the history information based on operation of the client on the history screen 92 as specified format data.

[0088] In this packaging material order management device 10, a history screen 92 showing the history of format data provided to the orderer in the past is displayed on the orderer terminal 90. Then, based on the orderer's operation on the history screen 92, the orderer is provided with format data that will be the source of print data for the packaging material to be ordered. When ordering packaging material using format data provided in the past, the orderer can obtain the format data by operating the history screen 92. There are cases in which a user repeatedly uses format data that the user has used in the past, and the packaging material order management device 10 is useful for improving user convenience.

[0089] In the packaging material order management device 10 described above, the information providing unit 12 may display a history screen 92 on the orderer terminal 90 so that information indicating each of two or more provided format data, which are format data that have been provided to the orderer terminal 90 in the past among the multiple format data, is arranged in an order based on the orderer's past order history. In this case, it is possible to present to the orderer in an easy-to-understand manner format data that is likely to be used based on the order history. This is therefore even more useful in improving user convenience.

[0090] In the packaging order management device 10 described above, each of the multiple format data may be associated with specific information indicating any one of the model number of the packaging material, the shape of the packaging material, the size of the packaging material, and a combination of the shape and size of the packaging material. On the history screen 92 displayed on the orderer terminal 90, information indicating each of the two or more provided format data may be arranged in an order based on the frequency of orders for each specific information included in the orderer's past order history. In this case, it is possible to clearly present to the orderer the format data corresponding to specific information such as a model number that is likely to be used, based on the frequency of orders for each specific information included in the order history. This is therefore even more useful in improving user convenience.

[0091] In the packaging material order management device 10 described above, the information providing unit 12 may be capable of providing data representing design elements added to the specified format data in past orders to the purchaser terminal together with the specified format data. In this case, the purchaser can obtain data representing design elements created using the format data used in the past together with the format data. This allows the purchaser to place a new order by referring to the design used in the past order. This is therefore even more useful in improving user convenience. [Explanation of symbols]

[0092] 1…packaging material injection system, 10…packaging material injection management device, 12…information providing section, 15…printing date acquisition section, 16…packaging material preparation instruction section, 30…packaging material production management device, 31…printing machine, 90…injector terminal, 92…history screen.

Claims

1. A packaging material order management device that receives an order for the creation of packaging materials from an orderer terminal operated by an orderer via the Internet, an information providing unit that provides the orderer terminal with designated format data associated with one packaging material related to the order from among a plurality of format data associated with a plurality of types of packaging materials; a print data acquisition unit that acquires print data including the specified format data and expressing a design for a printing surface of one packaging material related to the order; a packaging material production instruction unit that transmits a packaging material production instruction, which includes the print data and information indicating the content of the order, to a manufacturing department that includes a printing machine; The information providing unit is When receiving an instruction by the operation of the orderer on the orderer terminal, a history screen including history information corresponding to information identifying the orderer and indicating a history of format data provided to the orderer in the past among the plurality of format data is displayed on the orderer terminal; a packaging material order management device that, when receiving an instruction from the orderer's operation on the history screen, provides format data identified from the history information based on the orderer's operation on the history screen to the orderer terminal as the specified format data.

2. 2. The packaging material order management device according to claim 1, wherein the information providing unit causes the history screen to be displayed on the orderer terminal such that information indicating each of two or more provided format data, which are format data that have been provided to the orderer in the past among the plurality of format data, is arranged in an order based on a past order history by the orderer.

3. each of the plurality of format data is associated with specific information indicating any one of a model number of a packaging material, a shape of the packaging material, a size of the packaging material, and a combination of the shape and size of the packaging material; 3. The packaging material order management device according to claim 2, wherein the history screen displayed on the orderer terminal lists information indicating each of the two or more provided format data in an order based on the frequency of orders for each of the specific information included in the order history by the orderer.

4. The packaging material order management device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the information providing unit is capable of providing data representing design elements added to the specified format data in past orders to the orderer terminal together with the specified format data.

5. A packaging material order management method executed by a packaging material order management device that receives an order for the creation of packaging material from an orderer terminal operated by an orderer via the Internet, comprising: a provision step in which an information provision unit of the packaging material order management device provides, to the orderer terminal, designated format data associated with one packaging material related to the order from among a plurality of format data respectively associated with a plurality of types of packaging materials; an acquisition step in which a print data acquisition unit of the packaging material order management device acquires print data including the specified format data and representing a design for a printing surface of one packaging material related to the order; a sending step in which a packaging production instruction unit of the packaging order management device sends a packaging production instruction including the print data and information indicating the content of the order to a manufacturing department including a printing machine; The providing step includes: When receiving an instruction by the operation of the orderer on the orderer terminal, a history screen including history information indicating a history of format data provided to the orderer in the past among the plurality of format data is displayed on the orderer terminal in association with information identifying the orderer. and when an instruction is received from the orderer's operation on the history screen, providing to the orderer terminal, from the history information, format data identified based on the orderer's operation on the history screen as the specified format data.

Images